Winners of national quest for most beautiful Filipino home named

MANILA, Philippines - A jury of eminent practicing architects and academicians has selected the winners of the national quest for truly Filipino home design.

Professor Nicolo Del Castillo of the UP College of Architecture (UPCA) and head of the Competition Secretariat said that in the weeklong judging process, the judges had a tough time selecting the winners from the 79 entries that came in from Filipino architects and students based here and abroad.

The winners of the competition titled “Ang Pinakamagandang Bahay Sa Balat ng Lupa (the most beautiful house on the face of the earth)” are: in the professional category, first place went to John Patrick Anthony L. Buensalido with Marie Veronique Boncan, Emereauldine Eliseo, Nathan Fabe, Ysrael Guy, Raymond John Balmes, Ernesto Medrano Jr. III, and Bayani Dela Pasion.

Second place went to Nestor Arabejo, Rowena Ramos, and Bert Peeters.

Third place went to Jose Eduardo G. Calma with Sherwin Abad, Sarah Canlas, and Benjamin Mendoza.

Honorable mention went to Roger Magsakay.

In the student category, first place went to UP-Diliman graduates Laurence Angelo Angeles, Norbert Cornelius Batangan, and Jaycee Gopez.

Second place went to UP-Diliman undergraduate students Kim Patrick Pullante, Dean Michael Ramos, Don Joseph Sebastian, and Marc Angelo Virtucio.

Third place went to UP-Diliman graduate Deniece Yusun and Zada S. Ong, a graduate of the National University of Singapore.

Honorable mention went to Aristotle O. Santiago, a graduate of the Technological Institute of the Philippines-Manila.

The panel of jurors was composed of chairperson Ma. Cristina V. Turalba, a retired professor of the UP College of Architecture, practicing architect and vice chair of the Active Group of Companies, while other members were Geronimo V. Manahan, PhD, retired professor and former dean of the UP College of Architecture, practicing architect , and partner of PROS Architects and Planners; Likha awardee Jose Pedro Recio, practicing architect and partner of the renowned design firm Recio+Casas Architects; Leon M. Mayo, practicing architect and president of Consultants for Comprehensive Environmental Planning Inc. (CONCEP); and Jean I. Cornejo, practicing architect, dean of the College of Architecture- Adamson University, and president of the Council of Deans and Heads of Architectural Schools of the Philippines (CODHASP).

As a competition designed to encourage the creation of truly Filipino and truly environmentally sustainable middle-class homes, PMBBL is a pioneering joint undertaking of the UP College of Architecture (UPCA) and Lafarge Cement Services Philippines Inc. (LCSPI).  

The competition’s two categories yielded many innovative and outstanding designs. Ma. Cristina V. Turalba, jury chairman for the competition, said that “the jury was challenged with the variety of solutions, both in the professionals’ and students’ works. But in the end, the entries that manifested creativity, a deep understanding of sustainability and our culture, and inspiring aesthetic sensibility literally captured the jury unanimously.” 

 Cash prizes will be awarded to all major winners at an awards ceremony this month. The first-place designs in both categories will be constructed by LCSPI at pre-selected sites in the UP campus and will be part of the university’s staff housing.

Updates and details of the winning designs may be viewed at www.upd.edu.ph/~ca or http://geocities.com/pmbbl_2008.